Poems (Eliza Gabriella Lewis)/The Deserted Wife
THE DESERTED WIFE.
I cannot sleep—I cannot rest, My weary heart is aching; I watch the glowing of the West, I see the morning breaking.
And then, I long again for night— For night, and then for morning. But ah! the smile that was my light Is turned to bitter scorning.
May Heaven preserve me in this hour, And keep me e'er from madness Uphold me with its strength'ning power To bear this mortal sadness.
Hush I hush, my babe, thy little moan, And closer to me nestle,We now must struggle on alone With worldly sorrows wrestle.
Alone, alone, my fatherless, We'll stem life's troubled ocean—Ah! woe is me! and sore distress! And weary wild commotion.
For he, who welcomed thee, my child, With smiles and fond caresses, Another hath his love beguiled, Another's lip he presses.